Item of interest marking and posting system and method

Abstract

A list generation system (300) and method that includes cellular phone / item selector (102) that reads an identifier (106, 108) of a selected item the user is interested in receiving as a gift. The cellular phone / item selector (102) includes a GPS receiver (818) to determine a location near the selected item. An identification of the selected item is then added, along with the location of the item and the user's identification, to a list (700) that is accessible to gift givers. Once a gift is received by the user, the cellular phone / item selector is used to scan the identifier of the item (106, 108) and the item is removed from the list (700). An embodiment maintains the list (700) on a server (308) and makes the list (700) available over the World Wide Web.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention generally relates to the field shopping aids and more specifically to the field of wish list generators. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Wish lists, which are lists of items and / or services that an individual desires to receive as gifts, allow an individual to share a specific list of things that would be appreciated as gifts. Wish lists are frequently useful during gift giving events, such as weddings, birthdays and some holidays when gifts are to be given or exchanged. Creating and distributing wish lists is often a difficult task. Some retailers have “gift registries” that allow a person to register items he or she wishes to receive and others can access this list and purchase those items. A difficulty in using retailer gift registries is that gift givers have to know with which retailer or retailers the intended recipient has registered. An intended recipient is able to register wish lists with several retailers, thereby req...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method for maintaining a desired item list includes determining a location of a selection device operated by a first user and determining, by the selection device operated by the first user, an identification of an item that is substantially near the location. The method further includes determining a seller o

Problems solved by technology

Creating and distributing wish lists is often a difficult task.

A difficulty in using retailer gift registries is that gift givers have to know with which retailer or retailers the intended recipient has registered.

Creating a wish list at one or more retailers that have gift registries can also be inconvenient for the intended recipient.

The use of the special device generally restricts gift registration to special trips where the intended recipient is focused on selecting future gifts, which can be a time consuming process.

It might be difficult to remember the item for later inclusion in a wish list and registering with the retailer at that time might be too burdensome and / or time consuming to just indicate that one item.

A further impediment to noting the item for inclusion in a wish list is that the next gift giving event, such as for his or her birthday or holiday, might be many months away and the item is forgotten before it is time to generate a wish list.

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